Nassau, Bahamas -- After years of paying higher than average rates for electricity, residents of Inagua will be able to breathe a sigh of relief, as the Government moves to reduce the billing rates on that island.

Minister of State for Public Utilities the Hon Phenton Neymour said, ?The Government of The Bahamas is responsible for providing an environment to improve the livelihood of all Bahamians.

?Your electricity rate, I am told, is 53 cents per kilowatt-hour and someone told me 56 cents,? he said. ?Whatever the figure is, today the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is coming to you to provide a rate that is the same for every Bahamian that is provided power by Bahamians; and that is 24.3 cents.?

The changes would reflect a 50 per cent decrease in the current rate for electricity per kilowatt-hour and the measure had to be taken due to the current economic times, Mr Neymour explained.
?Now there are those who criticize how we are going about this transition. The fact is that we knew that there would be some challenges because it is a transition ? going from one organization to another,? he said.

?But the government recognizes that during this time of recession that we had to quickly bring a resolution to this issue; and so we began the process and some issues are not yet completed but effective September 1, you will have a lower electricity rate.?
He said it has always been the Government?s intention to take over the power facility in Inagua given that The Morton Salt Company is not in the power business.

The Government has always dialogued with The Morton Salt Company and will continue to do so until all parties are satisfied, he added.

BEC and Morton will also continue communicating including discussing such concerns as arrears.

Mr Neymour told residents that for those persons who may have challenges meeting the payment schedule, the Government has mandated that BEC offer the same payment benefits afforded to persons in Nassau.

?If your light has been disconnected, you are asked to pay the last month in full and the balance over a three year period through a various number of programs,? he said. ?The Government realizes the challenges that people are facing and has delivered.?

He said moving forward, both BEC and the Government realizes that the current facility is not suitable and will have to be revamped.

It will come at a cost of millions of dollar and there would have to be investment into the island to support the project, Mr Neymour added.

?You will need added capacity, in terms of generation and there would have to be improvements to your distribution systems. We know that,? he said.

?BEC, at the same time and I must admit, is hitting hard financial times. And so the infrastructural improvements that are planned for Inagua, will have to be phased into BEC's existing expansion plan; and so we ask those in Inagua to be patient with us but Inagua will always be on our mind. ?

Minister of State for Public Utilities the Hon Phenton Neymour and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Management team held a town meeting in Inagua at the Inagua All Age School, Thursday, December 10, 2009. Photo shows Kevin Basden, General Manager, BEC, addressing residents of Inagua. (BIS photo/Raymond A. Bethel)


Minister of State for Public Utilities the Hon Phenton Neymour addresses residents of Inagua at a town meeting, Thursday, December 10, 2009. (BIS photo/Raymond A. Bethel)



Luther Mortimer a resident of Inagua asks questions during a town meeting hosted by Minister of State for Public Utilities the Hon Phenton Neymour and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Management team at the Inagua All Age School, Thursday, December 10, 2009. (BIS photo/Raymond A. Bethel)



Minister of State for Public Utilities the Hon. Phenton Neymour and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Management team held a town meeting in Inagua. While there Mr Neymour was given a tour of the Power Plant. (BIS photo/Raymond A. Bethel)



Minister of State for Public Utilities the Hon Phenton Neymour inspects an eye wash station at the Power Station in Inagua as Gerrad Mortimer, Station Diesel Mechanic Mate, Inagua (centre) and Kevin Basden, General Manager, BEC, look on. (BIS photo/Raymond A. Bethel)